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User Discretion Advised: Fiscal Consolidation and the Recovery

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  • William Scarth

Abstract

Since the financial crisis in 2008, controversy has existed over whether governments should use fiscal policy in an attempt to stimulate economic activity, or whether fiscal consolidation is preferred. Those who call for continued stimulation focus on how slow and incompletely shared our recovery has been, while those favouring austerity argue that postponement of deficit and debt reduction retards business expansion, thereby hurting the recovery. This study evaluates the many strands of this fiscal policy debate, and applies the lessons to the decisions currently facing the federal and Ontario governments.

Suggested Citation

  • William Scarth, 2014. "User Discretion Advised: Fiscal Consolidation and the Recovery," C.D. Howe Institute Commentary, C.D. Howe Institute, issue 412, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdh:commen:412
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal Policy and Tax Competitiveness;

    JEL classification:

    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • E63 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Comparative or Joint Analysis of Fiscal and Monetary Policy; Stabilization; Treasury Policy
    • H62 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Deficit; Surplus

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